Juventus travel to the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night to take on Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final.
The recently-crowned Italian champions, for the fourth successive season, know that any kind of result which sees them avoid defeat will reach their first final of this competition since 2003.
On that occasion, they were beaten by AC Milan despite the penalty shootout efforts of Gianluigi Buffon – a man who will be looking to make up for that night in Manchester by reaching another final and potentially going one better 12 years on.
They face a tough task despite their lead against the reigning champions who are looking to defend the title for the first time in the revamped Champions League era but know they must score or face elimination after defeat in Turin thanks to goals in each half from former player Alvaro Morata and Carlos Tevez.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s away goal does offer Los Blancos hope as does their home record. In the league this season, they have scored at least once in every home game and have managed 58 goals in their 18 matches at that venue to date.
It is a similar story for them in Europe too with 15 goals in their five home matches in this competition to date so the Bianconeri will likely be called upon to defend with the class that they have become accustomed to.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side have already produced disciplined defensive, counter-attacking performances away from home in the knockout rounds already this year in Dortmund and Monaco, a good showing in the Spanish capital last season in the group stages will also give the Old Lady hope and confidence of knowing that they can perform in that environment.
Another thing that will give them a big boost is the return of Paul Pogba. He had a goal-scoring return to form for Juventus at the weekend as they drew 1-1 at home to Cagliari and could be used if needed against Real Madrid. The Frenchman is certainly a welcome option for Allegri to have.
Carlo Ancelotti, a man who will undoubtedly have extra determination to succeed giving his colourful past concerning the Bianconeri, and his side also slipped up on domestic duty at home to Valencia at the weekend – although did fight back from 2-0 down to salvage a draw and it could have been more were it not for an incredible performance between the posts from Diego Alves and a missed penalty from Ronaldo.
Neither coach has any suspensions to worry about although Ancelotti is without midfield duo Luka Modric and Sami Khedira while long term absentee Kwadwo Asamoah is still side-lined for the Turin giants.
Form Guide: Real Madrid (L-W-D-L-W-W) Juventus (W-D-W-W-W-D)
Expected Starting XIs
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Rodriguez, Kroos, Isco; Bale, Hernandez, Ronaldo.
Juventus: Buffon; Lichtsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pogba, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vidal, Morata, Tevez.
